Those who like to beat up on perceived “chokers” probably felt really sad to see perennial punching bag Alex Ovechkin score a big Game 7 goal. They probably received some relief later on in the period, though.

Rick Nash is no stranger to being a scapegoat, and his critics won’t be silenced after he failed to beat Braden Holtby with this backhand move on a shorthanded breakaway:

To some, this save was reminiscent of Marc-Andre Fleury stopping Ovechkin in Game 7 of that memorable Pittsburgh Penguins – Capitals series in 2009:

Restricted free agent or not, Holtby could make himself a lot of money in the playoffs.

The guarantees have been made. Both the Washington Capitals and New York Rangers are about as well-rested as one can expect, with Game 6 ending on Sunday. Now it’s time to get to the nail-biting, legacy-defining action of a Game 7.

As the 2015 Presidents’ Trophy winners, the Rangers get to host this contest at Madison Square Garden. You can watch this big game in the Big Apple on NBCSN and stream it via NBC Sports Live Extra:

For two of the NHL’s top three goalscorers, this could be a spring to remember.

Or, one to forget.

Sure, it might be unfair and a bit elementary to draw such a thin line between success and failure — win, you’re good! Lose, you’re bad — but that’s what this Game 7 has ostensibly done for Washington captain Alex Ovechkin (who led the league in goals this year, with 53) and New York’s Rick Nash (who finished third, with 42.)

Nash’s postseason struggles are well documented. Since joining the Rangers, he’s suited up for 52 playoff games and scored just seven times — a per-game rate of 0.13, well off his regular season average as a Blueshirt (0.47).

“It was frustrating when you feel like you’re letting your guys down and your organization down by not scoring,” Nash said after scoring his first of the series — on 21 shots — against the Caps in Game 6, per NHL.com.

“Obviously, [goals] have been hard to come by.”

Nash is 31 in June. He’s now officially past the halfway point of his monster eight-year, $62.4 million deal and while he did enjoy a renaissance regular season — how many post a career-high in goals in their 12th year? — there are those that believe his legacy is now tied to what he does, or more specifically what he doesn’t do, in the Stanley Cup playoffs.

Which brings us to Ovechkin.

After starting this series with aplomb — highlight-reel markers in both Games 1 and 2 — the Washington captain has gone silent in a similar fashion to Nash; plenty of shots on goal (17 in the last four games) but no production to show for it (pointless over that same stretch.)

The similarities to Nash don’t end there. Ovechkin was brilliant in his 10th year in the league; he posted his highest goal total in six years and a career-best 25 PPG.

But in the playoffs — yes, like Nash — scoring in the clutch has proved problematic. Ovechkin went goalless over the final three games of the Islanders series and heads into tonight’s tilt goalless in four. If the mounting pressure of those streaks wasn’t enough, Ovechkin put some more on his shoulders by guaranteeing a Caps win at MSG.

Ovechkin also knows it’s on him to follow through with that guarantee.

“We have chances but we have to make one or two steps,” he said, per NHL.com. “It starts for myself. I have to create more opportunities in front of the net, use the body and try to get the shot through.”

Reputation and legacy are fickle, nebulous things. Nash and Ovechkin head into tonight’s action as two of their generation’s premier goalscorers and while it’s crazy to think their reputations and legacies will be forged by a victory in Round 2, it’s not crazy to think either guy will take a sizable hit by losing — especially if they’re held off the scoresheet.

It’s become an all-too common problem: When the playoffs start, Rick Nash stops scoring. He had just one goal in 12 games in the 2013 playoffs, two markers in 25 postseason contests last year, and went into Game 6 against the Washington Capitals with a goal in 10 playoff games.

His third period marker on Sunday isn’t enough to compensate for his lackluster history, but it’s a start and for him, it’s also a big relief.

“It’s a weight off my shoulders,” Nash told NHL.com. “It was frustrating when you feel like you’re letting your guys down and your organization down by not scoring. The more important thing that I focus on is the wins.”

Nash still felt like he was contributing to the Rangers’ victories even when he wasn’t finding the back of the net and head coach Alain Vigneault agrees that he’s been “an effective player.” Still, his scoring touch is a big part of his appeal and that’s been largely absent since the postseason started.

Perhaps this will be the beginning of a hot streak for Nash. It would certainly be coming at an ideal time given that Game 7 of their second round series against Washington is on Wednesday.

The New York Rangers managed a 4-3 win to force a Game 7 against the Washington Capitals, but not after the kind of finish that likely left fans hyperventilating.

In a way, quick plot twists only seem to fit the ending considering the beginning of Game 6 … and really, this skin-tight series in general.

Chris Kreider didn’t just begin the scoring with a goal 40 seconds in; he barely beat the clock with a 2-0 goal that came with .3 seconds remaining in the first period.

The Capitals dominated the second period, generating an 18-4 shot advantage. They only were able to beat Henrik Lundqvist once, however, and entered the final frame down 2-1.

The theme of quick goals continued as Rick Nash made it 3-1 just 54 seconds into the third (Jason Chimera’s goal came less than 30 seconds into the second period, giving the opening minute of each period a tally).

Dan Boyle’s 4-1 tally seemed like it would make this game a laugher … instead, it eventually stood as the game-winner.

Evgeny Kuznetsov and Joel Ward combined for two goals in less than three minutes to make things very tense in the final 10 minutes or so. That line with Jason Chimera might be a trio to watch, as Barry Trotz took Ward off of a line with Alex Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom.

Ovechkin’s line failed to score a point for the fourth consecutive game, even if he created some havoc, including this dangerous chance and big hit on Ryan McDonagh:

The bottom line is that many won’t give Ovechkin & Co. the benefit of the doubt, even in a series where goals were hard to come by (at least until tonight) and Washington enjoyed significant luck in building what was once a 3-1 series lead in the first place.

These Capitals and Rangers series have been tight since it’s been Ovechkin vs. Lundqvist (who was stellar tonight), so it all seems fitting that this one is going the distance. With Washington’s dignity and the Rangers’ outstanding season on the line, the stakes will certainly be high at Madison Square Garden on Wednesday.